Donald Trump,
I highly doubt you will read what a 20-year-old Latina who is a first generation American and first generation college student from Greeley, Colorado, has to say. Instead, I am sure your supporters will be tempted to read it in order to criticize me, as they have done in my past article about you. However, I am not writing this to convince you or your supporters that you are a racist or a bigot. I am not writing this to convince you or your supporters that Mexicans are not "criminals, rapists, or drug dealers," as you claimed at the beginning of your campaign. I am also not writing this to outline the numerous reasons why I did not vote for you. I am not writing this to call your supporters names or spread hate. I am definitely not writing this to wish you the worst during your presidency.
Trump, you visited my university, the University of Northern Colorado on October 30th, nine days before the election. I am not going to talk about my experience since I have already on a previous article, but I just want to mention a quote from you from that day. You said, while standing behind a podium at my university, "If I lose the election, it will be the best waste of time and money of my life." Out of your whole speech that one sentence is the one that I will never forget. It made me doubt you even more. I became doubtful of your motives to run for president and question the type of president you will be.
As a first-generation American, I love this country. This country has opened its doors to me. I have the opportunity to be the first in my family to attend college and study a field I am passionate for: criminal justice. With my degree I want to become a juvenile probation officer. I know I will not be a billionaire with this career and be able to afford expensive cars, a private jet, or a mansion, but I know I will live a comfortable life helping our troubled youth get on the right track. As a juvenile probation officer I know I will not make a difference in every juvenile's life, however, if I can make the difference in one life I will be satisfied.
Besides having the opportunity to attend school, this country has taught me a numerous amount of things. First, the beauty of diversity. Diversity is one of the thousands of things that make this country great. This country also taught me the value of freedom. In this country, you are free to practice your own religion and say what is on your mind. Whereas in other countries, this is a crime. The United States of America has its issues, just like any other country, but I love this country. Yes, I am a first-generation American but that does not mean I love this country any less.
The love I have for this country is so great that I hope you, Mr. Trump, continue making this country great. Although you were not the candidate I wished for, I wish you the best during your presidency. I hope you prove me wrong because I would rather have you or one of your supporters turn to me and say, "I told you so," than have me turn to them saying that. I hope we continue to progress and take action to the issues that matter. Here's to the next four years, of hopefully no more hate and a lot of progress.
Good luck Mr. Trump.
Sincerely,
A first-generation American
